What to look for in the Midwest Regional:
The draw: It all begins with Northwestern State vs. Winthrop in a play-in game tonight for the right to face No. 1 Illinois. It also includes No. 13 Cal State Northridge, a tournament first. Illinois, thanks largely to a victory over Michigan State, earned the top seeding even though the Illini lost in the Big Ten tournament semifinal. But streaking Arizona might have made a better choice.
Best first-round-game: No. 7 Wake Forest vs. No. 10 Butler. They're close in the RPI; Wake Forest is No. 29, Butler 30. Butler almost upset Florida in the first round last year. Wake Forest whipped Kansas in December, 84-53.
Sleeper: Mississippi. The Rebels won the Southeastern Conference West title and set a school record with 23 victories. Ole Miss beat USC, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and injury-plagued Florida.
Stunner in the making: No. 13 Cal State Northridge vs. No. 4 Kansas. The tournament is made for Cinderellas. Northridge, which stunned UCLA this season, looks the part. The Matadors, 13-point underdogs, could hardly ask for a tougher challenge, but they're thankful to be playing in March. Northridge coach Bobby Braswell and Kansas' Roy Williams are close friends and run similar offenses. Northridge, stocked with seniors and deep, won at Oregon and Fresno State last season. Guard Markus Carr leads the nation in assists per game (8.8). Kansas is beefier in the front court with forwards Drew Gooden (6-10), Nick Collison (6-91/2) and 7-1 foot center Eric Chenowith. But depth is a question mark.
The pick: Northridge just kidding. The Matadors might be a gutsy pick in office pools, but they're in over their heads. Arizona will win the regional title, and more.
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